Michigan Hockey October 24, 2011

mihockeynow.com

V.22 : I.7 | October 24, 2011

FIRST CLASS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MICHIGAN OCTOBER 24, 2011 VOLUME 22: ISSUE 7 6 THE LOCKER ROOM Let’s have some fun

8 SLIDESHOW Professional hockey players have to shop, too

10 SPEAKING OF HOCKEY What’s your favorite hockey jersey of all-time?

12 GET BETTER Coaches’ Corner: 3-0 dot lane drill

14 YOU SHOULD KNOW National Team Development Program’s Patrick Sieloff

18 TOURNAMENT CALENDAR The latest tournament listings

20 HOMETOWN HERO East Lansing native and Buffalo Sabres goalie, Ryan Miller

38 THE LAST LINE Whatever happened to keeping linemates together?

24 5, 9 or 19?

Michigan Hockey takes a stab at answering this not-so-simple question: Who is the greatest Red Wing of all-time?

28

Griffins

New captain Garnet Exelby brings leadership and NHL experience to a young Grand Rapids team

4

Michigan Hockey

30

Whalers

Fourth-year goaltender Scott Wedgewood is hoping to leave his mark on the Whalers’ organization

36

Red Wings insider

A trio of retirements and a quiet free-agent offseason have allowed the Red Wings’ young guns to make an early impact this season

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LOOK FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE

NOVEMBER 14, 2011

To advertise in Michigan Hockey please contact Lucia Zuzga at (248) 479-1134 or lucia@mihockeynow.com or Michael Caples at (248) 479-1136 or mcaples@mihockeynow.com

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

FROM THE EDITOR MICHIGAN HOCKEY EDITOR Michael Caples

mcaples@mihockeynow.com

ADVERTISING Lucia Zuzga

lucia@mihockeynow.com

DESIGN John Kalmar

jkalmar@mihockeynow.com

DISTRIBUTION Lucia Zuzga ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Amy Jones DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PROGRAMMING Darren Eliot

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bob DeSpirt, Christine Knight, Derek Blair, James Jenkins, Julie Pardoski, Kirk Vickers, Linda Holland, Lisa Zarzycki, Mark Vansaw, Nyron Fauconier, Randy Paquette, Rob Mattina, Susan Bottrell, Tim Wilson, Todd Krygier LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MICHIGAN HOCKEY® welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be signed and include the writer's full home address and day and evening telephone numbers.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY is published by SUBURBAN SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 483352829.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MICHIGAN HOCKEY®, 23995 Freeway Park Drive, Suite 200, Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829. ©2011

by Suburban Sports Communications. All Rights Reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of MICHIGAN HOCKEY or its advertisers. All editorial copy, photographs and advertising materials remain the property of MICHIGAN HOCKEY.

MICHIGAN HOCKEY

BY MICHAEL CAPLES

@michaelcaples

My public service announcement:

(@MiHockeyNow), and we’ll tweet back. Or keep it simple and email me at mcaples@mihockeynow.com. Or keep it even simpler and send us some snail mail (our address is in the staff listing bar to the left).

Hockey is all about the community, the friendships and the happiness that come along with it. So let’s make Michigan Hockey Magazine and MiHockeyNow.com feel the same way.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Michigan Hockey Magazine. We have redesigned the “Hometown Hero” feature into a two-page poster; who better to start it off than East Lansing native and NHL all-star Ryan Miller? We’re also happy to announce that we’re going to be covering the Grand Rapids Griffins, because who doesn’t want to keep tabs on future NHL players? And I’m sure you have noticed the fantastic cover we have, featuring our debate of who the greatest Red Wing of all time is. It’s a great read, I highly recommend you checking it out — and silently vote for Nick Lidstrom, because I wrote about No. 5.

Dear fellow hockey addicts, Hockey’s the best sport in the world. We all know that.

It might even be the best thing in the world, period. We love being at the rink, whether it’s one that’s freakin’ freezing with no seats, or one that holds 20,000 complete with suites and souvenirs. We love playing, no matter our age, and we love watching — no matter the age.

So let’s talk about it. Let’s share our stories. Let’s share our photos. If I had it my way, I would cover every squirt hockey game, along with every Red Wings game. But unfortunately, yet fortunately, there’s too much hockey for one person to get to — or even for a full staff of writers to get to.

We’re trying to increase the coverage of hockey in our state, and we need your help. We want to know how Johnny did in his last game. We want to know that Jenny posted a shutout in her first game between the pipes. And we want to know that you had a great time when you last escaped to The Joe or Compuware or Yost or Munn or fillin-the-blank-fun-time.

Tell us all about it. Post a story or a photo on our Facebook page (facebook.com/MiHockeyNow). Tweet at us

23995 Freeway Park Drive • Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2829 (248) 478-2500 • FAX: (248) 478-1601 EMAIL: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com WEBSITE: mihockeynow.com

MICHIGAN HOCKEY’S MONTHLY CONTESTS

Photos at left: (from L to R): Garnet Exelby (Bobby Pulte Visual Media), Scott Wedgewood (Aaron Bell/ OHL Images) and Darren Helm (Michigan Hockey Archives).

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER PAGES TO FIND OUT HOW TO WIN YOUR TEAM A SET OF HOCKEY SKATE-LACE BRACELETS FROM HOCKEY PLAYERS UNION

From the cover: Nick Lidstrom (Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey), Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings Archives) and Steve Yzerman (Michigan Hockey Archives).

Cover reprints available email: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

5

THE LOCKER ROOM

THE

LOCKERROOM THE SCORESHEET

ON THE FLY

Q:

Who’s the best Red ed W Wing ing of all-time?

A: Steve Yzermann 53% Gordie Howe

38% 3 8%

Nicklas Lidstrom

9 % 9%

Turn to page 24 to see who our writers s chose in this battle of Hockeytown heavyweights A fitting tribute: Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg stand with the family of former Red Wings assistant coach Brad McCrimmon as part of a rememberance ceremony during the season opener on October 7. (Photo submitted by Jean Mancuso)

TWO FOR TWEETING

TALES FROM THE RINK GONGSHOW CONTEST Last issue we announced the winner of our Gongshow “Tales from the Rink” contest. This time around, we’ll share the second-place story submitted by Lauren Krajewski:

“When I was about 6 or 7 I had my first practice as a goaltender. When my coach was giving me some pointers, he told me to hug the post. I embraced the goalpost in a hug.”

Talk T lk k off potential t ti l conference f realignment li t iis iin tthe h air, i with ith the th Wings W being the prime target to swap places with the Winnipeg Jets

The Saginaw Spirit get one of their top forwards back for the 2011-12 season

i Abdelkader bd lk bd k d experienced i d a bit bi off déjà bi déjà vu against i Justin the Vancouver Canucks on October 13

(Michigan Hockey archives)

6

Michigan Hockey

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

7

SLIDESHOW

MICHIGAN HOCKEY IN PICTURES: SHOPPING WITH THE RED WINGS

2 4

1 3 1. Stock boy: To the surprise of Meijer shoppers in Northville on Oct. 17, the Red Wings’ Darren Helm put down his stick and skates to stock bags of Halloween candy.

His visit was part of the “Hockeytown Thanks” tour.

2. Price check: While Helm was stacking candies and treats, goaltender Ty Conklin was busy ringing up groceries for one lucky shopper.

3. Hot commodity: Everyone wanted their picture taken with Helm that day, including these fans who were sporting their Wings jerseys.

4. They totally planned that: It just so happened that this Meijer employee’s polo was a perfect match for the Wings’ classic red sweaters. Triplets!

5 8

Michigan Hockey

5. The elusive sasquatch: With all the hoopla surrounding the Red Wings’ visit to Meijer, there were also multiple reports of yeti sightings. Our photographers were able to capture this image before the creature disappeared into the produce aisle.

(Michael Caples, John Kalmar/Michigan Hockey)

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

RECIPES FOR

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

9

SPEAKING OF HOCKEY

Speaking of Hockey What is your favorite hockey jersey of all-time?

“Any jersey that has Datsyuk on the back ... And to be realistic, the old striped Red Wings t jjerseys. I have a nice old stained one sitting in my closet.”

Visit our Facebook page to see more answers, facebook.com/mihockeynow

— Michael Andrus

“I’m also a fan of the old Winnipeg jerseys. The new logo isn’t bad but they should definitely get back to the old style.”

— Brian Kalisher

“Chiefs jersey — best jersey ever.” r.”

— Daniel Woolston

“The old school Sabres jerseys ... always been a fav. of mine!!”

“Mighty Ducks! Haha I have a classic one!”

— Ellina Marie Stein

— Andy Stein

store.reebok.com (Red Wings), coolhockey.com (Chiefs), bus.nait.ca (Mighty Ducks), winterclassicjerseys.com (Sabres), reviews.icejerseys.com (Jets)

10

Michigan Hockey

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

11

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Michigan Hockey

Variation: F1 can Goalie: Awareness pass if seam is there of weakside danger, to F3. F1 can shoot rebound control. long-low-side for steep angle rebound off goalie’s pad in buttery where F3 is wide enough to corral the puck and stay outside house protection by “D.â€?

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866-223-2112 October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

FUTURE PRO GOAL

OVERCOMING FEAR

BY JEREMY KALIENICKI, FUTURE PRO USA DIRECTOR As most goalies would agree, being a goaltender is the hardest position in any professional sport. A couple of years ago, Steve McKichan wrote an article demonstrating why goaltending is so difficult, and more difficult than any other position in any sport. One specific part that makes being a goalie so difficult — and as I recall was not mentioned in Steve’s article — is the ability and necessity to overcome fear.

Being a goalie, there are many things to fear. A goalie can fear a player about to crash the net, the crowd who can take him off his game, and probably my favorite and the hardest to overcome — the fear of getting hurt by the puck.

At our summer camps we have a saying called “pulling the chute.” When a goalie pulls the chute, they do everything in their power to not get hit with the puck. Goalies are inherently putting themselves in harm’s way every time they step on the ice. Day in and day out, when they suit up, it is to basically get hurt. As your level of play increases year after year, so does the shooting capacity of the players who you will be facing.

In a typical practice at even the Juniors level of hockey, a good goalie will leave there every day with a welt or two due to the shot speed they are facing. This is a regular occurrence and an accepted part of being a goalie. What re-

ally separates the good goalies who move on in this type of a situation and the goalies who don’t is how they respond and how mentally tough they are. Mental toughness needs to be a pre-requisite for this position, not something they pick up along the way. Goalies can learn mental toughness to an extent, but the fear portion is something a goalie has to have or not have.

Just recently I was at a practice watching a shooting drill.

One of the goalies took a mid-range shot off the elbow in a somewhat vulnerable area. He dropped his glove and blocker and skated out of the net. The whole rest of the practice he was “pulling the chute” on every shot possible.

I honestly don’t know if he went down into a butterfly one more time the remainder of the practice.

Any goalie or goalie coach who has played at a higher level understands that this type of a shot does hurt — generally hurts a lot, in fact. I can recall times when my arm went numb from the elbow down due to a shot. The key for me is not that it hurt and that this goalie had to recuperate, but that he didn’t have the mental toughness to get back into the swing of things after. That one shot affected him the remainder of the practice and more than likely for weeks after.

As a goalie, you have to have the ability to minimize pain or ignore it all together. You cannot allow that type of a shot to affect your ability to play the game. There are obvi-

ous things that will take a goalie out, like a broken finger, fractured eardrum, and things of that nature.

The point I am making in this article is simply that any shot classified as a “stinger” or a “bruiser” must be taken as such and the goalie must shake it off and get back to work!

... AND A WORD ON ILLEGAL GEAR After the NHL lock-out in the early part of the decade, there were a lot of changes to goaltending equipment; most notably, the NHL made goalie equipment smaller to try and achieve more scoring. One of the questions I used to be asked quite often was, “at what point should I adapt to the pro-spec gear?” My answer was simple — as soon as possible.

Like all rule changes, certain people try to take advantage or push the boundaries of what is allowed and what isn’t. My thought on issues like these is simple — do as you would if you were playing at the level you want to. If your goal is to play in the NHL then practice, buy gear, and do everything away from the rink as if you were going to start next game for your local NHL team. What do you gain from doing things illegally? It is better to be prepared early and be in the right frame of mind making it on your own merits then to make it on a false platform.

Bottom Line: If you can’t do it in the NHL, why do it now?

GOALIE SCHOOL

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

13

YOU SHOULD KNOW

you should know FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT: I like going to and watching any baseball game FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: Three eggs with bacon FIRST CONCERT: Backstreet Boys in 3rd Grade IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: I would like to read people’s minds or be like Hayden Christensen in the movie Jumper and have the ability to teleport. That way I wouldn’t have to get up so early everyday to make it to class FAVORITE MOVIE: Never Back Down, it’s a really good pump up movie IF YOU WERE GIVEN $1 MILLION DOLLARS, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Give a lot back to my parents for supporting me in everything I do PRE GAME ROUTINE: I like to get to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at least two hours prior to a game. Once there, I focus on the game and the task at hand WHAT IS YOUR NICKNAME: Patty WHAT THREE PEOPLE WOULD YOU PICK TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Kid Cudi, Phoenix Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette and Christopher “Big Black” Boykin from Rob & Big

patrick sieloff In his official player bio, Patrick Sieloff ’s hometown is said to be Ann Arbor, Mich. That means the elite prospect should feel right at home at the Ice Cube, where he plays for the National Team Development Program’s U18 squad. Sieloff will take his skill set to Miami University soon, but right now, he’s going to continue to grow in front of his friends and family with the NTDP. The 6-foot-0, 194 pound Sieloff is one of the top defensive prospects in the ’94 birth class.

Photo courtesy NTDP, Dave Hogg (Comerica Park), Adria Richards (Bacon and eggs), Anirudh Koul (Backstreet Boys), Michael Wifall (Paul Bissonnette)

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Michigan Hockey

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

YUP...HE PLAYED HERE! Ticket info

JIMMY HOWARD

$1 Youth hockey players $4 Students/military/seniors $6 Adults

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All games played at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Upcoming home games Nov. 18 vs. Green Bay (U-18) Nov. 19 vs. Tri-City (U-18) Nov. 22 vs. Waterloo (U-17)

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Call 734.327.9251 for tickets! Visit usahockey.comw/usantdp

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

Tickets to Friday night’s Kalamazoo Wings game Bantam Majors & Minors Welcome MAHA Sanction: 120129 All teams must book hotel rooms through Lena Austin laustin@ghgkz.com • 269.492.6917

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Michigan Hockey

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Session 3

November 2 – December 17

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Michigan Hockey

t Go to http://mihockeynow.com/stars-of-tomorrow/ and fill out the form on that webpage. We will contact you about a photo to appear in the paper.

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MICHIGAN OCTOBER 2011 Grand Traverse Hockey Association Tournament Traverse City, MI October 28-30, 2011 Pee Wee A & AA 231-649-1226 gthatournaments@yahoo.com NOVEMBER 2011 Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI November 4-6, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI November 4-6, 2011 8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 4-6 Pee Wee B, Pee Wee A and Bantam B Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Grand Traverse Hockey Association Tournament Traverse City, MI November 4-6, 2011 Bantam Major AA & Bantam AA Minor/A 231-649-1226 gthatournaments@yahoo.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association Big Rapids, MI November 4-6, 2011 JV/Midget A 231-591-2881 bigrapidshockey.org or ferris.edu/icearena Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI November 11-13 Mite B, Squirt B and Bantam A Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com

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Michigan Hockey

Great Lakes Tournaments Series Holland, MI November 18-20 Mite AA, Pee Wee B, Midget Major and High School Varsity Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com West Shore Community Ice Arena Tournament Scottville, MI November 18-20, 2011 Squirt B 231-843-9712 westshoreice.com Grand Traverse Hockey Association Tournament Traverse City, MI November 18-20, 2011 Bantam House 231-649-1226 gthatournaments@yahoo.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association Big Rapids, MI November 18-20, 2011 Squirt B 231-591-2881 bigrapidshockey.org or ferris.edu/icearena Black Friday Bantam AAA Tournament Kalamazoo, MI November 25, 2011 Bantam Majors & Minors 269-345-1125 Email: jweber@ wingsstadium.com Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Brighton/Novi, MI November 25-27, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions K-Zoo Cup Tournament Series Kalamazoo, MI November 25-27, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Brighton/Novi, MI November 25-27, 2011

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8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Great Lakes Tournament Series: Great Lakes Thanksgiving Classic Holland, MI November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com 14th Annual Gravy Cup Tournament Bay City, MI November 25-27, 2011 Mite – Midget B/BB, JV Prep 989-671-1000 x105 baycounty-mi.gov/civicarena Thanksgiving Shootout Muskegon, MI November 25-27, 2011 Squirt – Bantam A & AA 231-747-7266 goldcoasttournaments.com DECEMBER 2011 Hockey Time Productions Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI December 2-4, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com

Get Into the Cold Tournament Mt. Pleasant, MI December 2-4, 2011 Pee Wee House B 989-772-9623 Email: info@mpicearena.org Grand Traverse Hockey Association Tournament Traverse City, MI December 2-4, 2011 Pee Wee House 231-649-1226 gthatournaments@yahoo.com Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association Big Rapids, MI December 2-4, 2011 Bantam B 231-591-2881 bigrapidshockey.org or ferris.edu/icearena Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI December 9-12 Mite B, Midget B, Midget Minor and High School JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Get Into the Cold Tournament Mt. Pleasant, MI December 9-11, 2011 Bantam House B 989-772-9623 Email: info@mpicearena.org

Hockey Time Productions Girls Motown Cup Tournament Series Detroit, MI December 2-4, 2011 8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com

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Great Lakes Tournament Series Holland, MI December 2-4, 2011 Squirt B, Squirt A and Bantam B Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com

Out-of-State Tournaments NOVEMBER 2011 All American Girl’s & Women’s Tournament Blaine, MN November 17-20, 2011 A&B U10-U14/ Women’s A,B,C MN/USA Hockey sanctioned

West Shore Community Ice Arena Tournament Scottville, MI December 2-4, 2011 Pee Wee B 231-843-9712 westshoreice.com

Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH November 4-6, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567

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itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA November 4-6, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA November 4-6, 2011 8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Veterans Cup Pittsburgh, PA November 4-6, 2011 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Buckeye State Tournament Series: Cincinnati Veterans Cup Cincinnati, OH November 4-6, 2011 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Gene Harrington Invitational Niagara Falls, NY November 4-6, 2011 Contact: Bob Harrington 781-710-6560 Email: bh@nahockey.com nahockey.com Canadian Hockey Enterprises Tournament of Champions Cup Las Vegas, Nevada November 10-13, 2011 Over 19, 25, 30, 35, 40, divisions (also Women’s divisions) Canadian Hockey Enterprises...1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com email: goals@chehockey.com Canlan Classic Tournaments Hockey for Heros/Armed Service Hockey Classic November 11-14, 2011 Las Vegas, NV

Adult 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH November 25-27, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA November 25-27, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA November 25-27, 2011 8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Canlan Classic Tournaments New Jersey Thanksgiving Classic November 25-27, 2011 Vineland, NJ Youth Boys 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca Canlan Classic Tournaments Fort Wayne Thanksgiving Classic November 25-27, 2011 Fort Wayne, IN Youth Boys 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca Canlan Classic Tournaments FJP - Thanksgiving Classic November 25-27, 2011 Florida Youth Boys 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca Chicago Cup Tournament Series: Chicago Thanksgiving Classic Chicago, IL November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Steel City Tournament Series: Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Classic Pittsburgh, PA November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Empire State Tournament Series: Rochester Thanksgiving Classic Rochester, NY November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Congressional Cup Tournament Series: Congressional Thanksgiving Classic Washington, DC November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Carolina Cup Tournament Series: Charlotte Thanksgiving Classic Charlotte, NC November 25-27 Mite through Midget; B, A, and AA, High School Varsity and JV, Mite Cross-Ice Jamboree Contact MYHockey Tournaments Toll Free US and Canada 855-898-4040 myhockeytournaments.com Niagara Falls Festival of Lights Niagara Falls, NY November 25-27, 2011 Mites, Squirts, Peewees, Bantams and Midgets, A, B, AE, & AA Divisions available in most tournaments. niagaratournaments.com 716-791-4068 or 716-405-7154 Gcarella17@roadrunner.com DECEMBER 2011 Hockey Time Productions Rock ‘n Roll Cup Tournament Series Cleveland, OH December 2-4, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA December 2-4, 2011 Mite-Midget House, B, A, AA High School Varsity and JV 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Hockey Time Productions Girls Three Rivers Cup Tournament Series Pittsburgh, PA December 2-4, 2011 8U-19U House, B, A, AA 216-325-0567 itshockeytime.com Canlan Classic Tournaments FJP - Sunshine Showdown December 2-4, 2011 Coral Springs, Florida Youth Boys 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca Gene Harrington Invitational Niagara Falls, NY December 2-4, 2011 Contact: Bob Harrington 781710-6560 Email: bh@nahockey.com nahockey.com American Cup Lake Placid, NY December 8-11, 2011 Atom, Peewee, Bantam AA, A, B, Select - Minor/Major/ Mixed divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com American Cup Lake Placid, NY December 15-18, 2011 Midget AA, A, B, - Minor/Major/Mixed divisions Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com American Cup Girls Tournament Lake Placid, NY December 15-18, 2011 Peewee, Bantam,Midget AA, A, B Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com American Cup High School Tournament Lake Placid, NY December 15-18, 2011 High School Boy’s and High School Girl’s Canadian Hockey Enterprises 1-800-461-2161 chehockey.com

Schwan Cup High School/Youth Blaine, MN December 26- January 1, 2012 Youth Squirt-Bantam and High School MN/USA Hockey sanctioned Canlan Classic Tournaments New Jersey Christmas Classic December 27-29, 2011 Vineland, NJ Youth Boys 1-888-422-6526 tournaments@icesports.com ccthockey.ca

FEBRUARY 2012 “Escape the Blues” A and AA Pre-Playoff Tournament Chesswood Arenas.

Toronto, Ontario Feb.3-5th, 2012 Minor Pee Wee to Minor Midget age divisions, 3 game minimum – 5 game maximum Contact: Rick Heinz 905-854-3435 or email: rick.heinz@gmail.com torontocityblues.com

2012 SCHEDULE North American Holiday Hockey Adult & Youth 1-800-322-NAHH nahhtours.com Email: NAHHTOURS@ aol.com Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas Ice Center March 21 – 26, 2012 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saveology.com Iceplex (Panthers’ Practice Facility) March 28 – April 2, 2012 Montreal, Quebec Complexe Sportif Bell (Canadiens’ Practice Facility) April 13 – 15, 2012 Toronto, Ontario Canlan Ice Sports April 20 – 22, 2012 Hartford, Connecticut International Skating Center of Connecticut April 27 – 29, 2012 Atlantic City, New Jersey Flyers’ Skate Zone (Flyers’ Facility) May 4 – 6, 2012

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MIHOCKEYNOW.COM

Michigan Hockey

19

HOMETOWN HERO

RYAN MILLER NHL TOTALS (AS OF OCT. 7)

402

.915

GAMES

223

WINS

22

2.57

SV%

127

LOSSES

44

GAA

TIES/OTL

2009-10 VEZINA TROPHY WINNER

SHUTOUTS

MICHIGAN STATE TOTALS (‘99-’02)

106

GAMES

.941

1.54

SV%

GAA

(5TH ALL-TIME AT MSU) (1ST ALL-TIME AT MSU) (1ST ALL-TIME AT MSU)

73

WINS

(4TH ALL-TIME AT MSU)

12

TIES

19

LOSSES

26

SHUTOUTS

(1ST ALL-TIME AT MSU)

2000-01 HOBEY BAKER AWARD WINNER

Dave Reginek (Michigan Hockey), Michigan Hockey archives

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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5, 9 OR 19?

HOWE NICK

who’sgordie lidstrom the BESTyzerman red WING steve OF TIME ALL

?

I

BY KEVIN ALLEN DARREN ELIOT & MICHAEL CAPLES

t is one of those heated discussions that will truly never have an answer. How does one pick between three of the best hockey players the world has ever seen? We, the residents of Michigan — better known as Hockeytown — have been lucky enough to see the iconic names Howe, Yzerman and Lidstrom on the back of a Red Wings jersey. But who is the best of the three? Three generations of writers write about the iconic Red Wings, each stating their case for who

they believe is the best Red Wing of all time.

Gordie Howe — By Kevin Allen Gordie Howe has to be the greatest Detroit Red Wings player of all-time because he is the greatest NHL player of all-time.

There is ample testimony and evidence to support that verdict, starting with the fact that his nickname is Mr. Hockey. Going back to the 1940s, Howe’s name was synonymous with the Red Wings and the game of hockey. Undoubtedly many people in America in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s didn’t know pucks from polka dots, but they could have told you that Gordie Howe was the league’s best player.

Scotty Bowman, the most accomplished coach in NHL history, believes Howe is the best player he ever saw.

“When I think about players, I consider three ingredients: the head, heart and the feet,” Bowman said. “Some players don’t have any of those, and some players have one or two.

But Gordie had all three in high dimensions.”

Hall of Famer Al Arbour said the most fascinating aspect of Howe’s dominance was his ability to make it seem effortless.

“It is like a great golfer,” Arbour said. “They swing so nice and easy and they make it seem so simple. You try to duplicate that swing and it’s impossible. No one could do it like Mr. Hockey. No matter what it was, he could do it well, whether it was penalty killing, power play or making passes.”

The golfing analogy is more interesting when you consider that Howe was known to grab any stick off the rack to score his goals. He wasn’t all Mr. Hockey: A do-it-all player that picky about his blessed with size, speed and sticks. grit, Gordie Howe made the As much as the game look effortless. hockey world ap- (Detroit Red Wings Archives)

24

Michigan Hockey

preciates Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Orr, Howe simply had more tools in his box.

Gretzky was known for his creativity and passing, Lemieux for his goal scoring, Richard for his shot and Orr for his puck-moving ability. Howe was known for being the complete package. Coaches around the NHL viewed him as the perfect hockey player because there wasn’t a single aspect of the game he hadn’t mastered.

When Howe was playing in the World Hockey Association in the 1970s, his rival Bobby Hull said Howe “is still tougher than a night in jail.”

Newspaper accounts during Howe’s heyday provide testimony to the fact that he would sometimes play up to 45 minutes per game, and usually played 30 or more minutes.

Bowman has said he believes Howe could have played all 60 minutes if a coach would have let him.

Bowman said the Montreal players viewed Howe “as being close to Superman.”

Supporting evidence for how remarkable Howe was during his career: • Won six Hart trophies and six Art Ross trophies.

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• Registered 103 points in the season when he turned 40 years old.

• Played in 29 All-Star games in 32 seasons of professional hockey.

• Scored his last NHL goal at age 52, now an age when you can have an AARP membership.

• In 1959, Howe fought and defeated New York Rangers forward Lou Fontinato, who was considered the NHL’s top fighter. Howe won the Hart Trophy that season. That would be like Hart Trophy winner Daniel Sedin recording a TKO over Anaheim’s George Parros.

• In 26 NHL seasons, he played almost 97% of his games during his career. From 1961 to 1970, he missed only two, even though he played a ruthlessly rough style of play.

Howe had special tricks and he used them all. He could shoot with either hand, and he would often switch just to confuse the goalie. He could bank pucks off Olympia Stadium boards and read the caroms like an expert pool player. Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall recalls that Howe would drive the net with his knee out to beat the defenseman, “and he could shoot with one hand if he needed to.”

Howe is certainly one of the most popular athletes in Detroit’s history. His persona was enormous to the point that it was difficult not to view the Winged Wheel and Howe as being intertwined. From 1946 until 1971, Howe was essentially the face of the Red Wings The establishment of the Red Wings’ reputation as a hockey superpower occurred during Howe’s watch. Long before anyone had heard of Hockeytown, Howe made the Red Wings popular by helping them win Stanley Cup championships in 1950, 1952, 1954 and 1955.

Throughout his career, Howe had a reputation for signing autographs until his wrist cramped. Son Mark Howe recalls when he was young that he and his brother, Marty would start playing ball hockey in the Olympia corridor because they knew their father would be there an hour after the game. Howe would tell stories as he signed. It was almost as if he viewed his stardom as being community property that needed to be shared.

“He was the meanest, nastiest man on a pair of skates I’ve ever seen,” said his son, Mark. “Off the ice, he was the most gentlemanly man I ever met.”

Steve Yzerman — By Darren Eliot It is so difficult to compare players from different generations and definitely say “who was better.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not shying away from my stance that Steve Yzerman is the greatest Red Wing ever. It’s just that there needs to be context to differentiate the buddy debates over beers when the local ‘Bard of the Barstool’ weighs in with an “I was there” or “you shoulda seen” personal account that is supposed to end all arguments.

With that, I put forth that Steve Yzerman is the most important Red Wing player ever, thus making him the greatest player. He arrived as a fresh-faced 18-year-old and spent the next 20 years committing completely to gaining top-of-class status as a player. Yzerman transformed himself from star to superstar through hard work off the ice and matured as a person and player over time in Detroit.

He grew up in the public eye and spanned the arc from precocious scorer to revered leader of championship teams.

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

The Captain: Steve Yzerman grew up before the eyes of Detroit fans and left his legacy by leading three Stanley Cupwinning teams.

(Michigan Hockey Archives)

Certainly, the mark and measurement of greatness is in the numbers and achievements, but for Yzerman, his importance goes far beyond his on-ice exploits. The fact that he captained the Red Wings longer than any man had done for any team in any sport in North America — ever — speaks as loudly as the numbers screaming from the record book. He played in 1,514 games in all — a lifetime dedicated to restoring the Winged Wheel to prominence.

It was Yzerman as the on-ice constant, from teenager to sage and ravaged leader. He grew up, grew as a player, cultivated a culture, changed his game at the behest of iconic coach Scotty Bowman, and retired into management with the same thoughtfulness, dedication and drive he had always shown on the ice.

Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings’ organizational progression from Dead Wings to model franchise are intertwined to the point of being indistinguishable. They are one and the same. It was certainly a case study in proving the adage that it is about the journey, not the destination.

But in the ultra-competitive and often cruel world of professional sports, winning is the destination and validates the journey. To that end, Yzerman and the Wings first vied for the Stanley Cup in 1994-95 — the first time the Wings had gotten to the Final since 1966 — only to lose to the New Jersey Devils. It wasn’t until 1997 that Yzerman and the Red Wings reached the ultimate destination — thirteen years into the symbiotic odyssey.

The next season was all about overcoming the grief of losing teammate Vladimir Konstantinov to debilitating injuries suffered in an auto accident as the team was celebrating the ’97 championship. Yzerman was now in full bloom as a leader, keeping the team together and coming through when it mattered most — the playoffs — winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Red Wings repeated as Stanley Cup victors by sweeping the Washington Capitals. It is the last time a team has won back-to back titles to date, which gives credence to the feat, especially given the back drop. In one of the most poignant sports-meets-reality moments ever, Yzerman as captain took the Cup and immediately gave it to a wheelchair-bound Konstantinov as the team gathered around. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, as everyone in attendance knew they were witnessing an immortal gesture rapt in the euphoria of winning, underscored by the very real example of our shared mortality.

Yzerman and the Wings won it all again in 2002, when a completely exhausted Yzerman told me after the Game 5 clincher against the Carolina Hurricanes, “I’m too tired to take my equipment off. I’m just glad I don’t have to put it back on again tomorrow.”

And yet Yzerman played on for few more seasons.

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

But the 2000 season defined his legacy. At 34 years of age, Yzerman won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward. This from the same guy who amassed 155 points in 1989 — only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have ever put up more points in a season.

Change that: It wasn’t the same guy. And that is the point. That is why Steve Yzerman is the most important and thus, the greatest Red Wing player ever. He was thrust into a situation where a team needed saving. He was brought in to be

The “perfect human being”: Even at the age of 41, the Red Wings still depend on Lidstrom’s steady, efficient play to guide the team. (Tom Turrill/Michigan Hockey)

the centerpiece of that salvation. He proved to have the character and conviction to see it through, from wunderkind scorer to the best two-way player in the game; from fresh-faced rookie to legendary leader and from Stevie Y to simply “The Captain.” No shortcuts and no doubt: Detroit Red Wings and Steve Yzerman, Steve Yzerman and Detroit Red Wings. Forever linked, each defining the other, as you would expect from the greatest player in team history.

Nicklas Lidstrom — By Michael Caples You know how Detroit Red Wings employees refer to Nicklas Lidstrom? They call him the “perfect human being.”

Niklas Kronwall mentioned the nickname to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN in December 2010, while LeBrun was working on a piece very similar to what I’m arguing against my friends Darren Eliot and Kevin Allen right now. But the name — perfect for Lidstrom — goes much further than his on-ice abilities, which are second to none.

Lidstrom is perfect at everything.

He nails any Red Wings TV promo in one take. He never, ever, ever says no to an interview. He is a tremendous ambassador for the team when meeting fans, whether they are 8-years-old, or 80. And he treated a scared-out-of-hismind-Red-Wings-intern with respect every time he needed to get a quote for an article, which said intern will appreciate for the rest of his life. And by “said intern,” I mean me.

Let’s get the obvious statistics out of the way. Lidstrom is the only European to ever captain a team to a Stanley Cup championship. He is a 12-time NHL all-star during an

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era shared by the likes of Chris Chelios, Scott Stevens, Ray Bourque, Scott Neidermeyer, Rob Blake, etc. And those seven Norris Trophies on his resume — only one behind Bobby Orr — speak for themselves.

Over 18 NHL seasons, Lidstrom has only missed 32 games. Thirty-two games in a league where forwards are bigger and faster than they have ever been before, and are fearless when it comes to charging at defensemen after dumping the puck in. Night after night, Lidstrom is on the receiving end of bumps, hacks and checks that would take their toll on any athlete. Yet Lidstrom continues to lead the Wings on the ice, playing against the top forward lines of the opposition, and putting up gaudy statistics at the same time. He outlasted Yzerman, and who’s to say how long Howe could have played in this day and age?

Yzerman has a library full of highlight-reel moments.

Howe would have been on SportsCenter on a near-nightly basis had it existed back then. But the fact that Lidstrom has built a legacy by being incognito to the cameras is even more remarkable. He is at his best when he’s unidentifiable to the casual fan. Die-hards will notice how his passes are always tape-to-tape, how quickly he jumpstarts a breakout, how he always seems to double in body mass in time to hold the puck in at the blue line. His game is in the details, thus making him the quietest of the three when it comes to “Who’s the best?” Yet we’re not talking about flashiness here. We’re talking about who performed — who excelled — at their job better than the rest while wearing the Winged Wheel.

Yzerman was the public face of professional hockey’s revival in Detroit. His ability to captivate the fans in Hockeytown saved the franchise. But the reason the Wings have won four Stanley Cups since 1997 is because of their ability to cultivate talent from across the pond. And that credit should go to Lidstrom more than any other player. Since his arrival in 1991, No. 5 first served as the perfect success story, then, Lidstrom grew into a mentor and leader for the transplanted talent. Would the Wings have seven Swedes and 10 total Europeans lead the Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2008 without Lidstrom’s leadership in the locker room? Lidstrom didn’t open the door to Europe for the Red Wings, but he served as ambassador, liaison, counselor and leader for those who walked through — the primary reason the Wings have had more success than any other team over the last 20 years.

The majority of arguments like this end with a statement on who won more championships, so I might as well follow through on sports discussion traditions. Lidstrom has more Stanley Cup rings than Yzerman, he’s tied with Howe, and he’s not done just yet. So I’ll finish with these two questions. First, how many Cups would Lidstrom win if he was competing against five other teams, not 29 other teams?

And lastly — Nick won without Stevie, but would Stevie have won without Nick?

Lidstrom has done his job to perfection, night after night.

While that job doesn’t mean he is on Sportscenter every morning, it’s the reason the Wings win, and win, and win some more. Without him, there would be no dynasty in Hockeytown. And for that, he’s the best Red Wing of alltime.

To read our writers’ arguments in their entirety, check out mihockeynow.com.

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Michigan Hockey

27

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

“

Looking back, it Loo wasn’t that long ago that I was one of the younger guys kind of looking to some veteran guys trying to learn the ropes ...

Now I’m on the other side, I’m sort of the big brother in a way. ay

Leadership role: Garnet Exelby, who replaced long-time Griffin Jamie Tardif as captain of the squad this season, brings over 400 games of NHL experience to his new team. (Photo courtesy Bobby Pulte Visual Media)

Adding Exel-lence

BY LOGAN BUCKLEY

A

fter two seasons out of the AHL playoff picture, the Grand Rapids Griffins are retooled, toughened up and on a mission to emulate their parent club, the Detroit Red Wings, by marching into the post-season. Similar to the structure in Detroit where stability on the backend is the foundation upon which the team is built, the Griffins made a few key moves in an effort to shore up their defense for the 2011-12 season.

Chief among them was the addition of veteran defenseman Garnet Exelby. With 408 NHL games under his belt between Atlanta Thrashers and Toronto Maple Leafs under his belt, Exelby is a proven commodity known for physically erasing opponents from the game.

“We tried to level the playing field in the physical department in the past here, and hopefully it was effective for us.

With Garnet here now we’ve leveled the playing field with one guy,” said Griffins head coach Curt Fraser. “It’s the way he plays, the way he competes on the ice — he’s tough.

He’s got that edge to him and all the players in the league are aware of that.”

Fraser also points out that Exelby does a lot of things very well and is more than just a tough-as-nails defenseman.

“He’s strong, blocks shots and does anything to win.”

Exelby echoed his coach when describing the overlooked aspects of his game.

“I like to be a strong penalty killer and block shots,” Exelby said.” Any chance I can get to block shots and help the goaltender out I’ll do that. I always want to be a plus player;

28

Michigan Hockey

I hate getting scored on in any facet.”

Exelby began his pro career 10 years ago with the Chicago Wolves, playing a season and a half with the AHL club before graduating to Atlanta. It was at that time when he first met Fraser, who was then coach of the Thrashers.

While Exelby never played directly under Fraser in Atlanta, the coach knew they had a future NHLer in the system.

“We knew all about Garnet. At that time, we were a team just kind of growing slowly, and some of the young guys they didn’t bring in too fast. But I left and then Garnet became a big part of that team and was a very, very good player,” said Fraser.

“He played in a situation in Atlanta where the kids had to grow up fast and had to learn how to play the game real quick. It was probably tough to work through, but he did a good job for them. Now he’s moved around a little bit, but we welcome him with open arms here. He’s exactly what we needed.”

This will be Exelby’s third straight year with a new team, having played a single season for the Rockford IceHogs last year and Toronto in 2009-10. Yet, the new surroundings have not fazed Exelby. Veteran Griffins defenseman Greg Amadio observed that Exelby has seamlessly transitioned into the Grand Rapids locker room.

“I think it’s not that hard for him,” Amadio said. “He’s been around pro hockey for a long time, been in every situation. He’s got over 400 games in the NHL; he’s familiar with our league. This group’s only been together for a short time, but we’re coming together pretty quick and he’s doing a good job.”

While Exelby does bring physicality to the Griffins’ de-

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”

fense, he will also be counted on for his experience and leadership, as he replaces long time Griffin Jamie Tardif as captain.

“It’s always an honor. There are many great leaders in this locker room, and I hope we can all mesh together and share the load because I think that’s what a great team will do,” said Exelby of donning the “C” on his sweater in his first year with the club.

Exelby’s professional experience is a big draw for the Griffins. While the team has numerous players returning from last season, the average age of the squad is just over 24 years old and Exelby, along with fellow defensemen Amadio and Doug Janik and forward Chris Conner, will be counted on to lead the team both on and off the ice.

“Looking back, it wasn’t that long ago that I was one of the younger guys kind of looking to some veteran guys, trying to learn the ropes and figure out how to try and succeed in this game. Now I’m on the other side, I’m sort of the big brother in a way. It’s an exciting role for me,” said Exelby.

With a Calder Cup, won as a rookie in 2001-02 with Chicago, already on his shelf, Exelby knows what it takes to go the distance. It’s the one thing he hopes all his teammates get a chance to experience as well.

“I can’t think of any more valuable experience that I’ve had over the years than the 25 or so playoff games I played in that year. Just to be under that pressure of the game sevens, bouncing back after a tough loss, the travel, and going through that kind of grind with some teammates and guys who are pretty special to me, and to be successful and to close it out — it’s valuable experience,” said Exelby. “I would hope that every young player in here gets a chance to go deep. I hope they can win a championship, but to go deep in the playoffs at some point in their career and learn what it takes and what it’s going to be like.”

Just a step away from the playoffs last year, the Griffins will count on Exelby to help solidify the defensive foundation of a team that expects to be in playoff contention come April.

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PLYMOUTH WHALERS

Wedgewood comes full circle with Whalers

BY MATT MACKINDER

B

ack in 2008, the Plymouth Whalers drafted Scott Wedgewood with the intention of making him a future No. 1 goaltender in the Ontario Hockey League.

Three years later, Wedgewood is a cornerstone for the Whalers and is playing this season for a contract with the New Jersey Devils, the team that drafted him in the third round of the NHL draft in 2010.

With all that he’s accomplished, there are times Wedgewood has to pinch himself to make sure this is all really happening. After all, he wasn’t even expected to make the team as a 16-year-old rookie in 2008.

“Back when I was drafted (in the seventh round of the OHL draft), it was definitely an exciting time in my life,” said Wedgewood, a 19-year-old native of Brampton, Ont. “I didn’t know too much about the Whalers as they are one of the few teams over the border. When coming to training camp, I had an open mind on things that could happen.

I knew being young and the team having two good goalies (Jeremy Smith and Matt Hackett) that it wasn’t going to be easy to stick around in my first season. I ended up getting the opportunity to stay for the season, and it was a little different to adjust to the new life.”

New country, new people, new phone; heck, it even meant a new bank account for Wedgewood that year.

Chris Terry was Plymouth’s captain that season and took Wedgewood, a player he had known for years as both are from Brampton, under his wing.

“Chris had grown up with one of my brothers playing against each other, but being from the same area helped a lot, and the veterans that year also helped with my adjustment,” Wedgewood said. “Everyone in Plymouth made Seasoned vet: Now in his fourth season in the crease for the Whalers, Scott Wedgewood has served as a mentor for younger goalie, Matt Mahalak, and other rookies on the team. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images) things very easy.”

Now a veteran on a Whalers team with a handful of A little more than two months later, New Jersey called younger players, Wedgewood is applying what he learned the first round against Windsor. Plymouth lost in overtime as a rookie to the current rookies and younger players. to drop the series, but Wedgewood made an incredible 70 his name in Los Angeles. Going into the draft, Wedgewood prepared himself to not even be drafted. He didn’t even Last season, Matt Mahalak came in to vie for playing time saves. Not a typo. Seven-zero.

“That game is and probably will stay the best game I will make the trek to Hollywood. with Wedgewood and while he struggled in the early go“I was hoping to maybe go in the fifth round or not at ever play in my career,” said Wedgeing, Wedgewood was always there wood. “That game did so much for all because of my limited playing time over the previous to keep the Monroe native’s spirits in Being my fourth year Bei Bein me. Being a do-or-die situation for years,” admitted Wedgewood. “When I got the call and check. here, I have been the team and me, the backup goal- was told I had been picked by New Jersey, I was shocked, “Being my fourth year here, I have been through a lot,” said Wedgethrough a lot. One is ie starting it (Hackett was serving excited, so many emotions that it’s hard to explain. New a suspension), there was already Jersey was one of my favorite teams growing up. I was a wood. “One is how I see teammates doubts around the league and peo- huge Martin Brodeur fan.” help each other and be mentors to how I see teammates Like most, Wedgewood dreams to play in the NHL. A younger guys. When Matt first came help each other ple counted us out before the game started. That for me was the best strong season with the Whalers may make that hope turn to our team last year, he was a very and be mentors to thing because it took all expectations to potential reality down the road. highly-rated goalie. (Plymouth goalie uys. and pressure off of me. All I had to do younger guys.

“I have a lot of expectations for myself this season,” coach) Stan (Matwijiw) started helpwas go out there and play. I still have Wedgewood said. “I would love to sign a contract with New ing him with the same little things that I went through when I first got to the team and to- thoughts about the game and it’s brought to my attention Jersey, but I’m in no rush to do so. My main focus is to win this year. We have a very skilled team and are a very close gether, Matt and I talked a lot about goals and certain situ- quiet a bit.

“I believe that game definitely opened the eyes of a lot group — I think the closest this team has ever been. We all ations and options to help us both out. It was the same of scouts and people around the league as it was the last want to win and the goal is to win the Memorial Cup. type of thing that Hackett and I had done in the past.”

“As a team, we’re having a slow start, but once we start One game that stands out for Wedgewood and one many time Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall would meet before the say is the one that put his name on the map to eventually NHL entry draft and a lot of scouts and teams were at the clicking and things start falling in place, I have a high expectation level for us.” get drafted was the last game of the 2010 OHL playoffs in game.”

“

”

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MIHOCKEYNOW.COM

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

SAGINAW SPIRIT

Walch is epitome of “Made in Michigan”

BY CARL CHIMENTI

S

aginaw Spirit defensemen Brad Walch has had the luxury of playing his entire Major Junior A hockey career at home and if all goes well he may have the same opportunity next year at the professional level.

The Saginaw native, from Thomas Township, is a product of the Michigan hockey system and is the first and only player from his hometown to suit up for the Saginaw Spirit.

This past summer, Walch received an invite from the Detroit Red Wings to attend the team’s rookie camp in July at the Centre Ice Arena — also known as Hockeytown North — in Traverse City. The week-long camp, held annually after the NHL Draft, brings Red Wing drafted prospects along with a few free-agent invites for an education on what it takes to become a professional hockey player on and off the ice.

The camp is run by Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Curt Fraser and his staff.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Walch, an overager and playing his final year in the OHL. “Craig Goslin (Spirit president and partner), received the phone call message and said that Detroit was really interested in me and wanted me to attend their rookie camp.

“The Detroit Red Wings is the greatest organization and to have the opportunity to learn from their coaching staff and be on the ice with all of their top prospects, like Brendan Smith, was something I will never forget.”

Walch grew up in the Bay County Blizzard travel hockey program, and went on to play for Honeybaked from 20042007. He was selected to play for Team USA as a member of the 17U select team in 2007, and shortly after joined the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League for one season. The Spirit drafted him in the OHL Priority Draft in May of 2008. Dan Haliburton, head scout for the Spirit at the time, thought highly of Walch and had plans to select him earlier, but the team had traded their third and fourth-round picks and had to wait until the fifth round.

“Brad is more of a contain type defensemen,” noted Haliburton, at the time. “I would draw a little similarity towards a stay-at-home defenseman with a good offensive skill level. He moves the puck well and keeps things simple.”

Walch, now in his fourth season with the Spirit, can’t believe how fast the time has gone by.

“I have enjoyed every minute and it has been an awesome experience playing for my home team,” Walch said.

“It’s been great because each of my first three years the Spirit has enjoyed great success, making the playoffs and of course winning the West Division Title last season was very memorable.”

The 6-foot-1, 207 pound blueliner was a big contributor, setting career marks in goals (4), assists (21) and points (25), along with a plus-17, and he credits that success to an opportunity that presented itself.

“My first couple of seasons, we always had skill players like T.J. Brodie, so you just had to bide your time,” explained Walch. “As you get older you keep working on

32

Michigan Hockey

Home cookin’: After playing in the Bay County Blizzard travel hockey program growing up, Brad Walch has had the good fortune of playing for his hometown Spirit and also being an invite at the Red Wings’ rookie camp in July.

(Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

“

I ha have enjoyed every minute and it has been an awesome experience playing for my home team. am.

”

things and soon you become one of the go to guys, with a bigger role.”

Walch’s future plans have been put aside for now because there is still some unfinished business in Saginaw — especially with the team winning just two of their first ten games.

“It’s hard to explain the slow start but the only way to overcome that is to continue to listen to the coaches and for everyone to work even harder,” said Walch. “Early on

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we had to play a lot of rookies with so many guys away at NHL camps, but now they are all slowly returning and that should help. The confidence is still there and we know how much talent is in that dressing room.”

SPIRIT NOTEBOOK The Spirit welcomed back forwards Josh Shalla, their single-season record goal scorer last year from the Nashville Predators, and Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks … Shalla’s return lasted all of a half period as he was given a 10-game suspension following a hit to the head to Matia Marcantuoni of the Kitchener Rangers … The Spirit held court and named their captains for the season. Defensemen Ryan O’Connor was selected as the team’s 11th captain, while Walch, Shalla and John McFarland were named alternate captains. Saginaw split their weekend games (Oct. 14-15), losing 7-2 in Sarnia, before coming home to snap a seven-game losing streak and winning for the first time at home, 6-4, over the Niagara IceDogs.

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

Megariotis playing his part in Fighting Falcons’ turnaround

BY MATT MACKINDER

L

ast month, Peter Megariotis drove more than 2,300 miles from his home in California to play for last season’s worst team in the North American Hockey League.

The Port Huron Fighting Falcons had a troubled first season and won all of six games in 2010-2011. Megariotis was acquired by Port Huron midway through the season from the Fresno Monsters and was one of few bright spots for the Falcons the rest of the way facing a ton of rubber between the pipes.

This season, Megariotis hopes, is different. If the team’s six wins through mid-October is any indication, it already is.

“We have a really good team and I think we have a good mix of younger and older players,” said Megariotis, one of just three returning players with Port Huron. “I feel really good about this year and I truly believe we can put it together and go for it this year. Having (head coach) Bill (Warren) back is also huge. He came in last season and really got us organized and ready to play on a daily basis.

“When Bill came in last year, this really wasn’t his team and to be honest, a lot of times we were just going through the motions.”

Megariotis has extra motivation this year as having just turned 20, his junior hockey eligibility is exhausted at the end of the season. He’s hoping he can continue playing beyond this season.

“I’ve had a couple Division III schools talk to me, but I’m really hoping for a D-I chance,” said Megariotis, who earned three wins all of last year before picking up win No. 3 this year on Oct. 12. “When I came here from Fresno, I saw that we had scouts at our games and I can’t remember a time where we had one in Fresno. Being in Port Huron, we’re right in the middle of so many colleges and it’s not far for any of them to come by to one of our games.”

Neither Megariotis or rookie Max Milosek has formally been named Port Huron’s No. 1 goalie and Megariotis doesn’t expect one to be any time soon.

“I have the mindset that I can be a No. 1, but Max is a really good goalie in his own right,” said Megariotis. “Max and I push each other on and off the ice, we joke around with each other and we correct mistakes the other makes. There is really good chemistry.”

NAHL.COM 34

Michigan Hockey

California dreaming: Peter Megariotis made the 2,300 mile trek from his home in California to play for the Fighting Falcons after being traded from the Fresno Montsters. Megariotis returned to battle for the No. 1 goalie position in his second season with the Falcons.

(Courtesy Krista Ketterer)

And if Megariotis and his father didn’t already have the typical father-son bond before, driving cross-country certainly solidified their relationship.

“It took about 36 hours and we drove through I don’t know how many different states,” laughed Megariotis. “It was a lot of fun, that’s for sure. Once we got to Port Huron, he flew back to California and I kept the car.”

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Megariotis is also hoping that with a strong season, the Port Huron community can continue to embrace NAHL hockey after decades of pro hockey.

“I think more and more people are starting to embrace us here,” explained Megariotis. “We have a lot of diehard fans and we’re really starting to connect with the community. For a lot of these people, they will come and watch hockey regardless of what level it is.”

Coming back to Port Huron was just one option Megariotis had after last season with the other playing hockey in Belarus. Ultimately, he and his parents decided playing out his NAHL career with the Fighting Falcons was the most sensible decision.

“I’m pushing myself harder everyday and I’m hoping to play hockey as long as I can,” said Megariotis. “Obviously, I’d like to play pro hockey someday after college, but really, all I can do is be the best I can be and see what happens.”

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

35

JUNIORS PREVIEW RED WINGS INSIDER

Youth infusion: Clockwise from left, Jakub Kindl, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm and Cory Emmerton have all been early bright spots for the Wings this season.

(Tom Turrill, Andrew Knapik/Michigan Hockey)

“Young vets” stepping up in big ways

BY DAVE WADDELL

T

he questions hung over the Detroit Red Wings in unusual numbers this summer with the retirements of defenseman Brian Rafalski, forward Kris Draper and goalie Chris Osgood.

It was thousands of games of experience and 10 Stanley Cups suddenly ripped from the line-up to be replaced by promise, hope, but ultimately the unknown.

Could the Wings’ defensive holes be plugged? Would the young vets like Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader be ready for bigger roles? Could Jiri Hudler, Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula have bounce-back years?

There were so many queries that the Wings nearly sank out of sight in the conversations about contenders for the Stanley Cup. “I don’t mind that at all,” Wings captain Nick Lidstrom said.

“You still have to go through 82 games, face all the teams. In here, we have a lot of confidence as a group.

“I like the depth we have on our team. You look up front, but even on the back too but especially among the forwards, we have so much depth. We can call two guys up from the minors and they’ll fit right in.

“It’s the depth you have to have to have success.”

The answers are still evolving early in the season, but they hint that the Wings may yet pull off this season of transition while still remaining among the NHL’s elite.

No question had bigger implications than could Detroit plug the holes on the blue line.

The Wings opted to sign two defenders, Ian White and Mike Commodore, rather than throw gobs of money at the most coveted defensemen in what was a very thin market.

The duo cost less than $4-million per season and it’s likely general manager Ken Holland can be complimented for money wisely not spent.

Through the early portion of the season, the Wings de-

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fense looks quite fine, thank you very much. Detroit’s already posted a pair of shutouts and has looked steady.

“Just attention to detail is important,” said Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader of the Wings; strong start to the season defensively.

“Anytime you pitch shutouts the goalies get the credit right away. Defensively, we’re trying to bear down and limit our turnovers in the neutral zone.”

While Commodore has been sidelined with a leg injury suffered late in the exhibition season, White has stepped right in as Lidstrom’s partner.

Through four games, he was a plus-four with two goals and a three points.

“I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in hockey,” White said of playing with Lidstrom.

A right-handed shot, White has been a perfect complement to the smooth-skating Lidstrom by bringing his gritty game to the mix.

“If you’re smaller you have to have the mindset you’re not going to be pushed around out there,” White said.

“You’re either being pushed or you’re pushing.

“I try to get into the battles and come out with the puck every time. That’s my mindset. You gotta get in the gritty areas and do the grunt work, especially if you’re not blessed with size.

“I just try to work hard. I don’t take the easy way out in any situation out there.”

White and Commodore have also meshed nicely in the Wings dressing room environment.

“This year, the guys we got during the summer, it’s been really easy for them to fit into the team, fit into the system,” Henrik Zetterberg said. “It feels like Whitey (Ian White) has been here for four or five years.

“It’s fun to see him playing with Nick. It looks so natural.

“It’s been that way for all the new guys.”

There was never much question about the effectiveness of Detroit’s second pairing of Brad Stuart and Nik-

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las Kronwall, but Detroit’s best start in 14 years has been aided enormously by the play of Jakub Kindl and Jonathan Ericsson. The duo lead the Wings in the plus-minus department with a combined plus-11. It also places the youngsters amongst the league leaders.

However, the numbers aren’t nearly as encouraging to Wings’ brass as the eyeball test.

The pairing aren’t turning the puck over in excess and have been efficient at moving the biscuit without panic.

Kindl in particular is making his case and making it difficult for Commodore to find a regular spot when he is healthy enough to return. He’s played so well that Wings coach Mike Babcock volunteered Kindl is playing his best hockey as a Red Wing.

He’s not alone.

Detroit required several of its young veterans to step up and shoulder more of the load. They’ve done just that.

Cory Emmerton is playing so well on the fourth line, Babcock hasn’t been able to take the rookie out of the line-up.

Abdelkader and Helm have also been outstanding in the early going, combined on a line with Todd Bertuzzi, to give Detroit one of the more interesting third lines in the league.

The trio is a plus-eight and has chipped in with a couple of goals.

However, outside of the defense, the top of the Wings’ wish list this season were bounce-back years for Jiri Hudler and Johan Franzen and continued progression for Valtteri Filppula. The threesome have delivered the goods thus far.

Hudler and Franzen have two goals and four points apiece while Filppula has a goal and three points.

With Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg not quite hitting on all cylinders yet, the depth that Lidstrom was so confident in is already surfacing. Already 10 different players have scored and all but one of the team’s 13 goals to date have been at even strength.

Indeed, it seems the reports of the Wings’ early demise may be premature again.

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7

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Michigan Hockey

37

THE LAST LINE

I

n this era of individual identity — even in our game of hockey, the best team sport of them all — the notion of lines with catchy nicknames seems rather quaint. It isn’t Alex Ovechkin’s line or Sidney Crosby’s trio that gets a memorable moniker; it is the player himself, as in Sid the Kid and the Great 8. Partly, that is due to marketing, and also, the way the game is played today, making longstanding trios hard to come by.

Currently, I can think of only one truly dominating line that has any kind of tenure to speak of, and that is the Anaheim Ducks formidable Corey Perry-Ryan Getzlaf-Bobby Ryan combination. They have size, speed, skill, grit and the ever-elusive three-way chemistry. More often these days, NHL teams have tandems of a center and one main winger, with the other side more of a rotation. The Sedins in Vancouver come to mind, with Alex Burrows getting the nod most often, but is the optional piece if Canucks’ Coach Alain Vigneault thinks his team/that line needs a shortterm spark.

Here with our Red Wings, we see coach Mike Babcock use Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg together and then he will split them up and form separate trios depending on situations in-game and in-season. Trying to keep all players healthy and engaged throughout the rigorous regular season becomes a major reason why set lines are mostly a thing of the past. Like everything else, when comparing different eras, as we’ve done in this issue, finding context is not always easy.

Here in Detroit, though, we’ve had some of the most famous lines of all time. Gordie Howe was part of the “Production Line” with Sid Abel and Ted Lindsay. They finished 1-2-3 in league scoring in 1950 — a record as safe as Glenn Hall’s astounding mark of making 502 consecutive complete starts in goal. Neither is likely to ever happen again because of how times have changed. Steve Yzerman centered many players throughout his illustrious career, but none came with a famous handle, nor came close to the league scoring trifecta. Yzerman’s line that included Gerard Gallant and Bob Probert in the late ’80s was a mash-up of skill sets that worked, making all-stars of all three, but as a group, nothing stuck.

The ’90s Red Wings, though, featured the Russian Five, and in 1997 the “Grind Line” was born. The line featured Kirk Maltby-Kris Draper-Joe Kocur, with Darren McCarty taking over for Kocur after the Wings’ 1998 repeat run to Stanley Cup glory. Ironically, the Grind Line neutralized one of the few lines from that era to carry a defining nickname, the Flyers’ “Legion of Doom,” featuring John LeClair-Eric Lindros-Mikael Renberg, during the 1997 Stanley Cup Final. That effort and the subsequent role the line played in the Red Wings’ success cemented the Grind Line’s place in team lore. They weren’t Howe-Abel-Lindsey, but collectively, Maltby-Draper-Kocur/McCarty is a part of Red Wing history as the Grind Line, serving as a marker in time, just like the Production Line.

Go to MiHockeyNow.com and weigh in on your favorite lines of all time. As a start, my favorite was the Buffalo Sabres’ “French Connection” with Rick Martin-Gilbert Perreault-Rene Robert …

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THE LAST OF THE GREAT LINES?

BY DARREN ELIOT

@Darren_Eliot

The Grind Line: The line of MaltbyDraper-Kocur/ McCarty was one of the most formidable line combinations for the Red Wings in the late ’90s.

(Michigan Hockey Archives)

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October 24, 2011 V.22 : I.7